How to fix Galaxy Tab A can’t make calls | unable to call or calling error

There can be a number of voice calling issues in Android. If your Galaxy Tab A can’t make calls or has calling error, there’s a number of factors that you must check in order to fix the problem. Find out how to troubleshoot this particular network issue below.

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How to fix Galaxy Tab A can’t make calls | unable to call or calling error

If your Galaxy Tab A can’t make calls and you have no idea how to fix it, follow this troubleshooting guide.

Galaxy Tab A can’t make calls fix #1: Check network signal

Voice calling may not work if your device has poor or weak signal. If you are in a building, try moving out or relocate to an open area before making a call again. Or, if you’re on the move, try stopping for a few minutes to check how strong the signal is and make your call. If the signal is okay (at least 3 bars) but you can’t still make calls on your Galaxy Tab A, proceed to the next troubleshooting steps below.

Galaxy Tab A can’t make calls fix #2: Check if texting works

If texting is also not working at this time, that can be a sign of a possible network issue. Again, check for the signal first and then try sending or receiving text messages. If the problem remains, you must skip all the rest of the troubleshooting and instead talk directly to your network operator. There’s high likelihood of an on-going network problem and the fix may not be available on your level.

Galaxy Tab A can’t make calls fix #3: Verify YOU are not blocked

If you’re having trouble making a call to a particular number only, it’s possible that you may be blocked on the other end. If possible, try to let the person you’re trying to contact that you can’t seem to make a call so he or she can verify that you are not put in a blocked list. You want to be creative in this by using other forms of communication to let that person know. If you are connected in social media, try to get hold of him or her through that to resolve the issue.

Galaxy Tab A can’t make calls fix #4: Troubleshoot Phone app

If you are not blocked at all, or if you can’t make calls to anyone in your contacts list, it’s time that you focus your troubleshooting on the Phone app. These are the things that you want to do:

• Force quit app
• Clear app cache
• Reset app (clear data)

Force quit Phone app. This is a generic troubleshooting step for any app issue. Here’s how it’s done:

Method 1: Close an app using Recent Apps key

1. On your screen, tap the Recent Apps soft key (the one with three vertical lines on the left of the Home button).
2. Once the Recent Apps screen is shown, swipe left or right to look for the app. It should be here if you managed to run it previously.
3. Then, swipe up on the app to close it. This should force close it. If it’s not there, simply tap the Close All app to also restart all apps.

Method 2: Close an app using App Info menu

Another way to force close an app is by going within the app’s settings itself. It’s a longer way compared to the first method above but it’s equally effective. You want to use this method if you plan on doing other troubleshooting for the said app like clearing its cache or data. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Open Settings app.
2. Tap Apps.
3. Tap the More settings icon (three-dot icon, upper right).
4. Tap Show system apps.
5. Find and tap the app.
6. Tap Force Stop.

Clear Phone app cache. If restarting the app won’t help at all, your next move is to delete the Phone app cache. This usually works if there’s  performance or freezing problem with an app. Try clearing the app cache first and see if that will work. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Go to the Home screen.
2. Tap Apps icon.
3. Open Settings app.
4. Tap Apps.
5. If you’re looking for a system or default app, tap on More settings at the upper right (three-dot icon).
6. Select Show system apps.
7. Find and tap the appropriate app.
8. Tap Storage.
9. Tap Clear Cache button.
10. Check for the problem.

Reset Phone app (clear app data). Consider doing this troubleshooting step if nothing changes after clearing the app. This will return the app to its defaults. This is usually effective in fixing app bugs due to updates. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Go to the Home screen.
2. Tap Apps icon.
3. Open Settings app.
4. Tap Apps.
5. If you’re looking for a system or default app, tap on More settings at the upper right (three-dot icon).
6. Select Show system apps.
7. Find and tap the appropriate app.
8. Tap Storage.
9. Tap Clear Data button.

Galaxy Tab A can’t make calls fix #5: Restart device

Rebooting your Galaxy Note10+ should be performed if it’s still unable to make calls. This is a troubleshooting step that can fix all sorts of issues so be sure to do it at this point. There are three ways to restart your Galaxy Note10+. Let’s see each of them below.

Method 1: Try restarting it normally first by pressing the Power button to access the boot menu. Then, select Restart option and see if that works.

Method 2: Another way to restart the device is by pressing and holding the Volume Down button and the Bixby/Power key at the same time for 10 seconds or until the device’s screen turns on. This simulates the effect of having disconnected the battery from the device. If this works, this may unlock the device.

Method 3: If doing the regular restart won’t help, then try this:

1. Press and hold the Volume Down button first and don’t release it.
2. While holding it down, press and hold the Power key.
3. Keep both keys held down for 10 seconds or more. 

The second restart procedure tries to simulate the effects of removing the battery pack. On older devices, disconnecting the battery is often an effective way in fixing unresponsive devices. If nothing changed though, proceed to the next suggestions.

Rebooting your device regularly at least once every week can be beneficial. If you tend to forget things, we suggest that you configure your phone to reboot on its own. You can schedule it to do this task by doing these steps:

1. Open Settings app.
2. Tap Device Care.
3. Tap the 3-dot at the top.
4. Select Auto restart.

Galaxy Tab A can’t make calls fix #6: Reset network settings

Clearing your tablet’s network configuration should be tried if the problem remains. Resetting network configuration can sometimes help in fixing network-related issues including app problems like the one you have. Here’s how:

1. Open Settings app.
2. Tap General management.
3. Tap Reset.
4. Tap Reset network settings.
5. Tap Reset settings to confirm.

Galaxy Tab A can’t make calls fix #7: Toggle Airplane on and off

Airplane Mode can also block incoming and outgoing calls as well as other network functions. If calling service has mysteriously stopped working after going on a trip, it’s possible that you have simply forgotten to turn off Airplane Mode. Simply pull the Notification Bar down and turn off Airplane Mode to check.

Galaxy Tab A can’t make calls fix #8: Check for call barring

Call barring is a feature in most phones but may or may not be enabled by your carrier. Make sure that the person that’s trying to call you is not included in your call barring list. 

Galaxy Tab A can’t make calls fix #9: Troubleshoot SIM card

Some forms of calling issues are caused by a bad SIM card. Try to troubleshoot the SIM card to see if it’s the cause of the problem. Also, when a SIM card is loose in the tray, or when its contacts is not properly connected inside, network issues may occur. Try to take the SIM card out, then put it back in to see if it will fix the problem.

Follow these steps to disconnect your SIM card from your device.

1. Turn off your Galaxy Tab A. This is important. Inserting a SIM while the device is on may result to corrupted data.
2. With your phone’s screen facing you, remove the card tray. You can use the insertion/removal tool (or a paperclip) to unlock the tray by inserting it into the provided slot. This small hole should be visible on the side of your device.  
3. Remove the SIM card from the tray. You can lift the card up from the bottom. To assist, use the opening on the opposite side of the tray to dislodge (using a fingernail or similar tool).
4. Reinsert the card tray.
5. Press in on the tray to lock it into place.
6. That’s it!

Putting the SIM card back in is simply the reverse of the steps above. Be sure that the phone is still off when you insert the card.

Galaxy Tab A can’t make calls fix #10: Manually disconnect from network

If your Galaxy Tab A can’t still make calls, make sure that you try the next troubleshooting step which is to force the device from connecting to your home network. This is done by attempting to connect to another network, which you expect to fail. This can have the effect of refreshing the connection to your own network. This can sometimes work if there’s a bug that prevents the current configuration from working. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Open Settings app.
2. Tap Connections.
3. Tap Mobile networks.
4. Tap Network operators.
5. Tap Select manually.
6. Wait for your device to search for networks.
7. Once it’s done searching,, select another network to connect to. For example, if you’re on T-Mobile, pick AT&T or any other network.
8. Your phone will be forced to return with an error because it won’t be able to register successfully.
9. Afterwards, select your own network again and see if your device will now be able to re-register and fix the bug.

Galaxy Tab A can’t make calls fix #11: Try calling on Safe Mode

Another possible reason why your tablet may be unable to make voice calls is a bad third party app. To check, restart the device to safe mode. All third apps, that is, apps that you added on top of the original ones that came with the software, won’t be allowed to run on safe mode. They will all be greyed out so you won’t be able to launch them. So, if your Galaxy Tab A will have a steady signal and the situation improves, that can mean that one of the apps is to blame.

To restart your Samsung Galaxy Tab A to safe mode:

1. With your device turned on, press and hold the Power button until the Power off menu appears then release.
2. Touch and hold Power off until the Safe mode prompt appears then release.
3. To confirm, tap Safe mode.
4. The process may take up to 30 seconds to complete.
5. Upon reboot, “Safe mode” should appear in the lower-left of the home screen.
6. Check for the problem.

Safe Mode may be a useful trick in checking for a problem but it won’t pinpoint the exact app. In order to identify which of your apps may be behind the problem, you’ll have to do a process of elimination. Here’s what you need to do exactly:

1. Boot Galaxy Tab A to safe mode.
2. Check for the problem.
3. If the issue returns or once you’ve confirmed that a third party app is to blame, you can start uninstalling apps one by one. You’ll need to do spend some time doing this if you have plenty of apps installed. We suggest that you begin with the most recent ones you added. 
4. It’s important that you only uninstall a single app at a time. After removing an app, restart the phone to normal mode and check for the problem again.
5. If your Galaxy Tab A is still problematic, repeat steps 1-4 until the rogue app has been identified.

Keep in mind that there’s no shortcut to knowing which app is bad or buggy. Just be patient and keep repeating the cycle above if the problem returns after removing one app. Once the issue stops, the most recent app you deleted must be the culprit. Be sure not to re-install the bad app. You can add the rest of the apps you deleted previously afterwards.

Galaxy Tab A can’t make calls fix #12: Clear cache partition

An Android tablet may not work as expected if its system cache is corrupted or outdated. To see if you have a system cache problem, try to clear the cache partition. Here’s how: 

1. Turn off the device. This is important. If you can’t turn it off, you’ll never be able to boot to Recovery Mode. If you are not able to shut the device off regularly via the Power button, wait until the phone’s battery is drained. Then, charge the phone for 30 minutes before booting to Recovery Mode.
2. Press and hold the Volume Up button and the Power button at the same time for 5 seconds.
3. Release the Power and Volume Up buttons.
4. The Recovery screen menu will now appear. 
5. Use the Volume Down button until you are highlighting ‘Wipe cache partition.’
6. Press the Power button to select ‘Wipe cache partition.’
7. Use Volume Down to highlight Yes.
8. Press the Power button to go ahead with clearing of cache partition.
9. After clearing the cache partition, press the Power button again for Reboot system now.
10. That’s it!

Galaxy Tab A can’t make calls fix #13: Erase device

In most cases, calling issues are fixed without doing a factory reset but if your issue returns and reaches this point, you should not hesitate to wipe your tablet’s software. Before you factory reset, make sure to create a backup of your personal data to avoid losing them. 

Below are the two ways to factory reset your Galaxy Tab A:

Below are the two methods on how to hard reset or factory reset your Galaxy Tab A.

Method 1: How to hard reset on Samsung Galaxy Tab A via Settings Menu

Under normal circumstances, factory reset under Settings menu should be the primary way for you. It’s simpler to do and does not require pressing hardware buttons, which some users may find difficult to do.

1. Create a backup of your personal data and remove your Google account.
2. Open Settings app.
3. Scroll to and tap General management.
4. Tap Reset.
5. Select Factory data reset from the given options.
6. Read the information then tap Reset to continue.
7. Tap Delete All to confirm action.

Method 2: How to hard reset on Samsung Galaxy Tab A using hardware buttons

If your case is that the tablet is not booting up, or it boots but Settings menu is inaccessible, this method can be helpful. First, you need to boot the device to Recovery Mode. Once you successfully access Recovery, that’s the time that you begin proper master reset procedure. It may take some tries for you before you can access Recovery so be patient and simply try again.

1. If possible, create a backup of your personal data ahead of time. If your problem prevents you from doing that, then simply skip this step.
2. Also, you want to make sure that you remove your Google account. If your problem prevents you from doing that, then simply skip this step.
3. Turn off the device. This is important. If you can’t turn it off, you’ll never be able to boot to Recovery Mode. If you are not able to shut the device off regularly via the Power button, wait until the phone’s battery is drained. Then, charge the phone for 30 minutes before booting to Recovery Mode.
4. Press and hold the Volume Up button and the Power button at the same time for 5 seconds.
5. Release the Power and Volume Up buttons.
6. The Recovery screen menu will now appear. 
7. Use the Volume Down button until you are highlighting ‘Wipe data/factory reset.’
8. Press the Power button to select ‘Wipe data/factory reset.’
9. Use Volume Down to highlight Yes.
10. Press the Power button to confirm factory reset.

Galaxy Tab A can’t make calls fix #14: Contact your carrier

If none of the suggestions above has helped, you can assume that the issue is outside your device. To resolve the problem, you must get help from your network operator. Not all voice calling problems are fixable on a user’s end so be sure to talk to your carrier’s technical support team so they can figure out the cause.

 

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